Dark Places Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Dark Places" by Lionsgate Films delivers an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 2.40:1 aspect ratio, capturing the film's digital cinematography with considerable care. Shot with the Arri Alexa, the overall visual quality shows occasional limitations due to the movie’s extensive use of low-light and shadowy environments. This intentional artistic choice results in numerous scenes shrouded in darkness, where only partial details like hands or sides of faces are perceptible. Despite this, the digital photography avoids any compression artifacts or noise. Flashback sequences introduce an additional layer of texture, utilizing grainy effects and black-and-white imagery.

The bright daylight sequences provide a contrast, featuring aggressive color grading with sickly yellow hues that, while stylized, allow for moments where fine details become particularly noticeable. Textures such as the ribbing in a seatbelt and the fabric of a baseball cap are sharply rendered, highlighting the film’s commitment to detail even within the constraints imposed by its predominantly dark aesthetic.

Technically, the transfer balances its dark and bright areas without sacrificing integrity, maintaining a clean image from start to finish. Colors in more vivid scenes, such as those set in a neon-lit strip club, are bright yet controlled, avoiding oversaturation while preserving fine detail. Black levels remain robust without crushing dark areas, maintaining an essential tension throughout shadowy scenes. Issues like aliasing, banding, and noise are minimal, though a notable anomaly appears at the 42:50 mark in the form of eight scattered dead pixels, which only briefly interrupt the otherwise consistent visual experience. This Blu-ray presentation of "Dark Places" succeeds in representing its unique visual style while adhering to high technical standards.

The audio presentation of "Dark Places" on Blu-ray offers a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track that is characterized by its mixed quality. On the positive side, the track demonstrates moments of dynamic range and powerful LFE, particularly in scenes such as the thumping music at the Kill Club, which accurately replicates the bass-heavy atmosphere of such a setting. Ambient environmental sounds are also well-integrated, enhancing the rural setting through subtle background noises. Dialogue clarity is generally excellent, especially with Charlize Theron’s voice-over narration, which remains crisp and prominent throughout. However, some whispered elements are mixed intentionally low to maintain a sense of mystery, though this can be easily adjusted with optional subtitles.

Unfortunately, the audio mix isn’t consistent. Certain scenes, particularly those involving Cory Stoll's character, present noticeable issues. When Stoll’s character speaks through a glass pane, his voice remains unnaturally muffled and difficult to understand even when the camera perspective shifts to his side. This problem highlights an issue with the mixing rather than volume. Moreover, the score does not fare better—it is predominantly flat and lacks dynamism, giving an impression of being an afterthought added at minimal cost. Music within the film, regardless of genre, tends to carry the same overbearing thumping quality as the club scenes, which detracts from other audio elements and becomes repetitive.

Overall, "Dark Places" delivers a functional but flawed audio experience. While general environment effects and prioritized dialogues offer some level of immersion, inconsistent mixing choices and a lackluster score undermine what could have been a more engaging auditory presentation. The 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio mix achieves its basic purpose but falls short of realizing its full potential.

The Blu-ray of "Dark Places" offers a solid collection of extras that delve deeply into the film's creation and source material. Featuring interviews with author Gillian Flynn and actress/producer Charlize Theron, the extras provide rich insights into the adaptation process, casting choices, and Flynn's writing methodology. The featurettes come with spoiler warnings, ensuring viewers are forewarned about plot details. With professional interviews and compelling behind-the-scenes footage, these inclusions enhance the viewer's understanding and appreciation of both the film and the novel.

Extras included in this disc:

• Bringing Dark Places to Light: In-depth interviews discussing the adaptation process.
• About the Author: Gillian Flynn and Dark Places: Offers Flynn's bio, background, and writing methodology.
• Trailers: Contains all original trailers from the film.

"Dark Places," adapted from Gillian Flynn's novel and directed by Gilles Paquet-Brenner, dives into a multifaceted narrative centered on Libby Day (Charlize Theron), the only survivor of a brutal family massacre at a Kansas farmhouse. The film oscillates between past and present timelines, uncovering the dark complexities of a crime thought to be resolved for decades. As adult Libby grapples with financial ruin and newfound curiosity sparked by an invitation from Lyle Wirth (Nicholas Hoult) and his 'Kill Club,' the plot unfolds to reveal secrets that challenge her childhood testimony which condemned her brother Ben (played in different ages by Tye Sheridan and Corey Stoll).

The film's structure, employing intermittent flashbacks, is a double-edged sword. While it builds a moody atmosphere and slowly peels back layers of the ostensibly bucolic setting to reveal chilling undercurrents, it can feel disjointed. The back-and-forth between timelines occasionally falters, resembling loosely tethered vignettes rather than a cohesive narrative flow. Despite this, Paquet-Brenner's screenplay does maintain intrigue, especially in how it weaves Diondra's (Chloë Grace Moretz) manipulative character into the central mystery. Christina Hendricks delivers a compelling performance as Patty Day, whose struggles resonate deeply against the film’s bleak backdrop.

Theron's portrayal of Libby is suitably steely and isolated, but this prickliness may inhibit audience empathy. Hoult serves primarily as an exposition driver, with his character lacking depth beyond facilitating Libby's uncovering of old truths. Sheridan and Moretz deliver significant impact in their roles, despite occasional tonal inconsistencies with the film's overall gritty realism. "Dark Places" trades the high-caliber intrigue of Flynn's "Gone Girl" for more straightforward revelations and conventional mystery tropes, relying heavily on its atmospheric tension and seasoned cast to drive forward what can sometimes be a predictably plotted narrative.

"Dark Places," a film adapted from Gillian Flynn’s novel, ultimately falls short of the high standards set by "Gone Girl." The narrative structure, alternating between past and present timelines, contributes to a jarring and disjointed experience, undercutting the potential tension and suspense. This bifurcated approach detracts from the plot's intended impact, making the resolution of the central mysteries involving Ben and Patty feel abrupt and unsatisfying. However, the performances are often raw and engaging, providing some redeeming qualities, though even a talented cast can’t fully salvage the film.

On a technical front, the Blu-ray presents commendable merits. The video quality is generally good, capturing the film’s somber and moody aesthetic with appropriate clarity and detail. The lossless audio track, however, is uneven. While some scenes benefit from a rich soundscape, other moments suffer from a poorly balanced mix that detracts from the overall viewing experience. The included special features, though limited, do offer some insight and added value to viewers interested in the adaptation process.

In conclusion, "Dark Places" possesses intriguing elements but ultimately lacks the cohesive execution needed to elevate it to the level of a thrilling mystery. The narrative's lurching quality and swiftly resolved mysteries undermine the suspense, leading to a less engaging viewing experience. Despite strong performances, the film's technical merits alone are unlikely to justify a purchase for most viewers. Fans of the cast may find it worth viewing out of curiosity, but expect it to fall short of “Gone Girl’s” artistry and impact.